WCEP: Who We Are

Costumed staff work with juvenile whooping cranes. During October, the cranes will be released using the DAR method.

Photo by Eva Szyszkoski; International Crane Foundation

The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP or “the partnership”) was formally organized in 1999 as a next step in the recovery of the whooping crane in North America. Following the Whooping Crane Recovery Team’s recommendation that a migratory flock be restored to eastern North America, WCEP founding members came together to plan and carry out such a project, eventually forming a partnership consisting of over nine government and private sector organizations and over 70 people.

The mission of the partnership is the restoration of a self-sustaining migratory population of whooping cranes in eastern North America. Achievement of this mission will bring the whooping crane closer to recovery from its current status as a species in danger of extinction.

Founding members included U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), International Crane Foundation (ICF), Operation Migration (OM), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, USGS National Wildlife Health Center, International Whooping Crane Recovery Team, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (NRF). The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) have assisted the partnership since its inception. Other states in the flyway and other organizations are important partners in restoration efforts and are welcome and encouraged to participate in WCEP activities as their interests and resources allow.

Partner Roles

Operation Migration

Operation Migration, Inc. trains the young whooping cranes to follow behind ultralight aircraft. The Operation Migration pilots then lead the whooping cranes on their first fall migration to Florida. Operation Migration's website has daily journals of the spring and summer training work and the fall ultralight-led migration as well as wonderful photos and information about how you can contribute to the project.

International Crane Foundation

Biologists with the International Crane Foundation track wild whooping cranes that were reintroduced during previous years. The ICF website has journal entries from the crane trackers, information on all species of cranes, and lots of pages for kids, educators, interpreters, and naturalists.

USGS

USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center is where the whooping crane chicks are hatched and reared before they are flown to Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. Patuxent's website provides photos and information about the whooping crane captive rearing process. Video and vocalizations are available on their website.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is responsible for administering the Endangered Species Act. They provided the legal framework for the reintroduction by establishing a Nonessential Experimental Population Area and preparing an Environmental Impact Statement on that designation.

Wisconsin DNR

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources led development and maintains a comprehensive statewide management plan for the eastern migratory whooping crane population. The DNR contributes to the development of monitoring plans and activities, and works with WCEP partners to identify project data needs and priorities. DNR staff - including a full-time biologist who coordinates whooping crane activities - help monitor, collect and manage whooping crane data in Wisconsin. The DNR also coordinates with landowners to protect crane habitat on private, county and state lands; contributes veterinary care for Wisconsin's wild cranes; and helps with other crane health needs by being on the International Whooping Crane Recovery Team.